Sealed hinge mechanism



19, 1943. L. G. BERGSTROM SEALED HIiIGE MECHANISM Filed July 26, 1941 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LAWQENCE 6. BEPGSTEOM BY Q72 :2

ATTORNJ Oct. 19, 1943. L. G. BERGSTROM SEALED HINGE MECHANISM Filed July 26, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII will,

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A'I'I'ORN Oct.'19, 1943. L. G. BERGSTROM 2,332,195

SEALED HINGE MECHANISM Filed July 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 wrmassss: INVENTOR a ZAWEENOE & 55Q657'20A1 BY WM ATTORN Patented Oct. 19, 1943 v SEALED HINGE MECHANISM Lawrence G. Bergstrom, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.,

of Pennsylvania Electric & Manufacturing a corporation Application July 26, 1941, Serial No. 404,174

6' Claims. (01. 20-35) This invention relates to refrigerator cabinet construction and more especially to a refrigerator door construction at the door hinge.

The walls and insulation of refrigerated chambers are sometimesrendered ineffective and may panel usually lies near the cold evaporator when the door is closed. 'Ihisportion is cooled to a very low temperature by the evaporator since but little heat is conducted to said portion from the warmer portions of the panel because of the low heat-conducting characteristics of the panel. This portion of the panel is especially, subjected to the condensation. If the inner panel is formed of one large sheet of impervious material which extends to the periphery of the door, an additional adverse factor is introduced because of the absence of joints which form ventilating openings by means of which moisture from the inner surface of the panel can be carried to the interior of the refrigerated chamber.

In refrigerator doors utilizing an inner panel of heat-insulating material which is impregnated or coated with afinishing material, the presence of moisture resulting in possible deterioration of the insulating material or the finishing material may produce unpleasant odors. Such doors are more likely to generate unpleasant odors in humid atmospheres than the conventional typ of refrigerator door, wherein both the inner and outer panels are formed mainly of metal. The problem of effectively sealing such a door is, therefore, more acute and great care must be exercised to effect a vapor-tight seal to the interior of the door. The problem is more diflicult because of the unusual and special construction of refrigerator doors of this type which, while extremely advantageous from the standpoint of heat leak factors and cost, present an unusual sealing problem because of the features of construction which produce the aforesaid advantages.

It is an object of the invention to provide a. fluid-tight door construction at the point of securement of the door hinge.

A further object of the. invention is to provide a strong hinge construction at the securement of the hinges to the door, which construction presents a pleasing exterior appearance.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accomp nyin drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a refrigerator cabinet embodying the door of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line II-.-I[ of Fig. 1, the door being in the closed position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line III-III of Fig. 1, showing the construction at the door hinge, the door 'being in the closed position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on the line' rv-rv" of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the sealing and reinforcing plate adjacent'the hinge structure;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the construction of theupper comer of the door with the inner panelremoved; A

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the construction of the lower comer of the door with the inner panel removed; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in perspective of a .portion of the sealing gasket of the door.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the invention, the reference numeral l0 designates a door for a refrigerator cabinet II. The door construction is claimed in a copending application filed by Orland H. Yoxsimer on May 27, 1941, Serial No. 395,322. The door it comprises a dishedouter panel E2 of sheet metal, the edges of which are bent inwardly throughout the periphery thereof to provide a short attachment flange I3 lying in one plane.

' A frame H is spot-welded at its outer margin to the inturned flange I3 and forms an inward extension of the flange l3. The inner edge portion ii of the frame It is bent at right angles to the remainder thereof to stiffen the frame M.

The joint between the frame it and the flange I3 is sealed with an asphalt'sealing compound H, such as Hydrolene to render the joint fluld-.

tight. v

The door Ill comprises an inner panel' l8 of thin, stiff, non-metallic material of good heat- "insulating qualities, such as one of the new plastic materials or paper impregnated with 'a resinous condensation product and known by the trade-mark Micarta. The panel l8 extends substantially to the outer margin of the door II). A sealing gasket I9 of rubber is disposed at the outer margin of the inner panel I8 and comprises a tubular section 2| and a flange 22 connected by a web 23 to one edge of the tubular section 2 I.

The flange 22 of the sealing gasket is interposed between the margin of the inner panel I8 and the frame I4, and the door structure is fastened together by closely spaced sheet metal screws 24 which pass through the inner panel I8, through the flange 22 of the sealing gasket I9, and engage the frame I4. The flange 22 of th gasket I9 is thus clamped between the margin of the inner panel I8 and the frame I4. The

tubular portion 2| of the gasket I9 overlies the heads of the sheet metal screws 24, and the web portion 23 of the gasket I9 lies adjacent the outer edge of the inner panel I8 so that the gasket I9 completely surrounds the edge. The surface of the flange 22 adjacent the frame I4 is provided with longitudinal ridges 26 which aid in effecting a fluid-tight seal between the gasket I9 and the frame I4. The purpose of the frame I4 is twofold. It acts as a stiffening member for the door I0, and also provides a flat surface with which In accordance with my invention, the door I' is secured to the cabinet II by two hinges 3I. Each hinge 3I comprises two hinge plates 32 and 33, one of which is secured to the door I9 and the other to the cabinet II. A modification of the door structure is required at the point of securement of the hinge plate 32 to the door I0 and comprises a depressed portion 34 in the flange I3, providing an opening between the frame I4 and the. flange I3 into which the hinge plate 32 may be inserted.

The depressed portion 34 of the flange i3 is reinforced by a heavy plate 35 which is formed with an ofiset 39 which underlies the depressed portion 34 and with two additional offsets 40 which underlie the immediately-adjacent portion of the flange I3. The reinforcing plate 35 extends beyond the edge of the flange I3 and contacts the inner surface of the frame I4. It is spot-welded to both the frame- I4 and the flange I3 and all joints are'sealed with a sealing compound Il such as previously described. The reinforcing plate 35 thus also forms a closure for the opening between the depressed portion 34 of the flange I3 and the frame I4.

The hinge plate 32 is secured to the door III by flush-headed screws 31 which are inserted through an opening 38 in the frame I4 to secure the hinge plate 32 to the depressed portions 34 of the flange I3 and to the reinforcing plate 35. The joints between the hinge plate 32 and the reinforcing plate 35, the flange I3, and the frame I4 are also sealed with a sealing compound H, such as previously described.

The refrigerator cabinet II is of the type described in Patent No. 2,213,155, granted-to O. H. Yoxsimer on August 27, 1940. The cabinet II comprises an outer shell 4I divided by a horizontal partition (not shown) into a food storage compartment 43 in the, upper part of the cabinet II and a machine compartment 45 below the food compartment 43. An inner shell or food liner 42 is located in the food storage compartment 43 withv its walls spaced from the outer shell 4| and the partition, respectively. The food storage compartment 43 has an access opening 46 for which the door I0 is the closure. The inner-shell 42 is provided with an outwardlyturned flange 41 and the outer shell H is provided with an inwardly-tumed flange 48 which is doubled back on itself and then bent reversely to form a groove 49. The partition (not shown) is provided with a flange 50 similar to the flange 48 of the outer shell H and welded at its extremities thereto. The space between the outwardlyturned flange 41 of the inner shell 42 and the inwardly-tumed flanges 48 and 50 of the outer shell M and of the partion respectively is bridged by a heat breaker strip 5| of stiff heat-insulating material.

The flanges 41, 48, and 50 are in such relationship with one another that the breaker strips 5| lie in one plane at the circumference of the access opening 46. The space between the inner shell 42 and the walls comprising the outer shell 4i and partition is fllled with heat-insulating material 53. All of the joints in the outer walls of the food compartment and the partition are either welded in fluid-tight engagement or are spot-welded and sealed with a sealing compound so that the outer shell about the food liner is sealed against the passage of air.

The hinge plate 33 is secured to the outer shell H of the refrigerator cabinet II. To reinforce the portion of the cabinet II to which the hinge plate 33 is secured, a heavy L-shaped bar 54 is spot-welded to the adjacent interior surface of the outer shell M. The long arm of the L- shaped bar 54 lies against the inturned flange 48 of the outer liner 4I and is also spot-welded to the flange 48. The hinge plate 33 is secured to the outer shell 4| by flush-headed screws 55 which pass through the outer shell H and engage cooperating threads in the L-shaped bar 54. The cabinet II is provided with a latch strike 56 which engages a latch (not shown) in the interior of the door I 0 through an opening a! in the inner panel I8. An evaporative cooling unit 58 is located in the upper portion of the food compartment 43.

When the door I0 is closed, the sealing gasket I9 seals against the inwardly-turned flanges 48 and 59 of the outer shell 4| and of the partition so that a fluid-tight closure is formed about the insulating material 29 and 53 of the food storage compartment 43, which closure comprises the outer panel I2 of the door- ID, the frame I4, the

gasket I9, the outershell 4| of the food storage compartment 43, and the partition.

It will be apparent from the above that this invention provides a strong and fluid-tight door construction at the point of securement of the door hinges. It further provides a door hinging construction of pleasing external appearance.

While I have shown the invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and it is desired; therefore, that only such limitations'shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

WhatI claim is; 1. In a refrigerator door andhinge securement edges and of the frame which it is contiguous,

thereby forming a fluid-tight structure between therefor, the combination of an outer dished parallel to said Diane and being adapted for se-.

curement of a hinge plate, a flat frame secured in fluid-tight engagement with said inwardlybent edges lying in one plane and extendinginwardly beyond said edges, said frame being spaced froin the depressed portion and a sealing plate underlying and contiguous with said depressed portion, said sealing plate extending sidewardly and inwardly of said depressed portion, said sideward extension being deformed to lie contiguously to the adjacent edge portions lying in said one plane and said inward extension being deformed to lie contiguously to the adjacent portion of said frame, said plate being secured in fluid-tight engagement to the depressed portion and to the portions of the edgesand the frame to which it is contiguous, thereby forming a fluid-tight closure for the space between the depressed portion and the portion of the frame adjacent thereto.

2. In a refrigerator door and hinge securement therefor, the combination of an outer dished panel having inwardly-bent edges lying in one plane with the exception of, at least one depressed portion thereof adapted for securement of a hinge plate, said depressed portion lying parallel to said plane, a frame comprising a flat portion secured in fluid-tight engagement'with said inwardly-bent edges,-said flat portion being spaced from the depressed portion, said frame comprising also an inward extension and a por-' tion at said inward extension bent at an angle to said flat portion to stiffen said frame, and a being deformed to lie contiguously to the adjacent flat portion (of said frame, said plate being secured in fluid-tight engagement to the, de-

pressed portion and to the portion of the edges and the frame to which it is contiguous, thereby forming a fluid-tight closure for the space between the depressed portion and the flat portion of the frame adjacent thereto.

3. In a refrigerator door and hinge securement therefor, the combination of' an outer dished panel having inwardly-bent edges lying in one plane with the exception of at least one depressed portion of said edges, said depressed portion lying parallel to said plane, a flat hinge plate located in said depressed portion, the thickness of said plate being substantially equal to the depression of said portion, a flat frame secured in fluid-tight engagement with said inwardly-bent edges lying in one plane and extending inwardly beyond said edges, and a sealing and reinforcing plate underlying and contiguous with said depressed portion, said sealing and reinforcing plate extending sidewardly and inwardly ofsaid depressed portion,

said sideward extension being formed to lie contiguously to the adjacent edge portions lying in one plane and said inward extension being deformed to lie contiguously to the adjacent portion of said frame, said sealing and reinforcing plate being secured in fluid-tight en agement to the depressed portion and to the portions of the the hinge plate and the interior of the door, and means for securing said hinge plate to said sealing and reinforcing plate. v

4. In a refrigerator door and hinge securement therefor, the combination of an outer dished panel having inwardly-bent edges lying in one plane with the exception of at least one depressed portion of said edges lying parallelto said plane, a flat hinge plate located in said depressed portion, the thickness of said plate being substan tially equal to the depression of'said portion, a flat frame secured in fluid-tight engagement with said inwardly-bent edges lying in one plane and extending inwardly beyond said edges, and v a sealing and reinforcing plate underlying and contiguous with said depressed portion, said sealing and reinforcing plate extending sidewardly and inwardly of said depressed portion, said sideward extension being formed to lie contiguously to the adjacent edge portionslying in one plane and said inward extension being deformed to lie contiguously to the adjacent portion of said frame, said plate being secured in fluid-tight engagement to the depressed portion and to the portion of the edges and the frame to which it is contiguous, forming a fluid-tight structure befaces of the frame.

5. In a refrigerator door and hinge securement therefor, the combination of an outer dished panel having inwardly-bent edges lying in one plane with the exception of at least one depressed portion of said edges lyin parallel to said plane, a flat hinge plate located in said depressed portion, the thickness of said plate being substan-- tially equal to the depression ofsaid portion, a flat frame secured in fluid-tight engagement with said inwardly-bent edges lying in one plane and, extending inwardly beyond said edges, and a sealing and reinforcing plate underlying and contiguous with said depressed portion, said sealing and reinforcing plate extending sidewardly and inwardly of said depressed portion, said sideward extension being formed to lie contiguously to the adjacent edge portions lying in one plane and said inward extension being deformed to lie contiguously to the adjacent portion of said frame, said plate being secured in fluid-tight engagement to the depressed portion and to the portion of the edgesand the frame to which it is contiguous, forming a fluid-tight structure between the hinge plate and the interior of the doorjmeans for securing said hinge portions to said sealing and reinforcing plate, an inner door panel of thin, non-metallic material comprising broad, smooth edge portions-lying adjacent the flat surface of said frame, a .resilient,

' impervious sealing gasket comprising'a flat attachment flange lying between said edge porsealing plate being secured in fluid-tight engage- 'ment to said frame, to said depressed portion, and

to the portion of the flange lying adjacent to the depressed portion thereof, and a sealing gasket on the outer surface of said flat frame, said sealing gasket, frame, sealing plate, and dished pane] forming a fluid-tight wail.

LAWRENCE G. BERGSTROM. 

